The Queensland Rugby League has called on the NRL to end the NYC a year earlier than planned

THE Queensland Rugby League cannot understand why some NRL clubs want a 12-month delay in disbanding the national under-20 competition.

Former NRL Head of Strategy Shane Richardson is seen outside Roosters headquarters in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016. Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson made a statement following co-captain Mitchell Pearce being stood down after a video surfaced of Pearce performing lewd acts at an Australia Day party. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING

THE Queensland Rugby League cannot understand why some NRL clubs want a 12-month delay in disbanding the national under-20 competition.

The blueprint on the game by Shane Richardson, the first part of which was delivered in December, called for closure of the National Youth Competition after next season, with the two state leagues taking charge of under-20 football the following year.

The QRL has told the ARL Commission that the NYC should end in October so a state-based structure, based in Queensland around Intrust Super Cup clubs, can operate next season.

It is believed the closure date of the NYC was not discussed in depth at yesterday’s meeting in Sydney, which was told Richardson and NRL staffers would bring proposals back to a subcommittee for youth-related issues and pathways.

QRL managing director Rob Moore said it would be a waste of resources to have a 2017 NYC and would also delay the benefits to player welfare from state-based under-20 leagues, as pinpointed in the Richardson report.

“I don’t know the reasons why this has changed,’’ Moore said.

“All I can recall from previous meetings I’ve been to is we were working towards a 2017 start date.

“We are ready and the ISC clubs are too.’’

Broncos CEO Paul White said it would be “prudent and good process’’ for the NYC to be disbanded only after next year.

“It rather than (a 2016 closure) allows a little extra time to get it right,” White said.

“The pathway debate is much greater than bringing an under-20 competition in the QRL and the NSWRL. There are rookie contracts, which haven’t been finalised.

“There’s a general view that some standardisation around those contracts would be a positive from the point of the view of the game and the point of view of welfare.

“There’s work to be done with the Players’ Association.”

The QRL’s point that it is best placed to create and foster a pathway from grassroots junior clubs through to NRL levels is largely accepted.

Richardson is still central to the delivery of the project despite accepting a job at South Sydney last month.